Stringed musical instrument



Jan. 14, 1947 M. E. OSBURN 2,414,238

STRINGED MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Sept. 25, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V 4 w ry. ,7!

Inventor 20 a 23 a 4 %rwziar), ash/r0 Jan. 14, 1947. M. E. OSBURN STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 23, 1943 Patented Jan. 14, 1947 UNETED E'iATES PATENT OFFICE STRENGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Myron Earl Osburn, Enid, Okla. Application September 23, 1943, Serial No. 503,555

1 Claim.

This invention relates to the general category of stringed musical instruments, such as for example, violins and others of the violin family, mandolins, guitars and the like. More particularly, the form of the construction which has been chosen as a preferred embodiment bears resemblance to a violin, but incorporates certain characteristics also found in mandolins and guitars. The style of the structure adopted is neither a violin nor a mandolin, but a variety in itself such as destined, it is believed, to find its place in the field of stringed musical instruments as a distinct contribution to said field.

Stated in details of greater particularity, the

preferred embodiment, or embodiments, is characterized by a wooden, hollow shell, this resembling in general configuration and outline the similarly designed body of the conventional violin. The basal or butt end portion is em" phatically larger than the forward or outer end portion and the whole takes on a somewhat proportionately massive appearance.

A phase of the invention of chief importance is predicated upon the use of double strings; that is, two each of the E, A, D and G strings, this corresponding to the arrangement on the conventional mandolin. However, the adaptation of coacting parts of the structure is such as to permit the strings to be vibrated through the instrumentality of a somewhat conventional violin bow, obtaining the broad combination eifect of the mandolin and violin, while at the same time developing a distinct and individual volume and character of tone.

Further, in carrying out the principles of the invention, I have dispensed with the customary sound post and used, instead, internal reinforcing elements, these constructed and arranged to render the construction sturdy and to promote a robust, but nevertheless resonant, tone quality.

Another object pertains to a special embodimentor form of the invention utilizing an internal, longitudinal runner to render the instrument sturdy, to promote longevity and to otherwise contribute to its distinctiveness in the internal make-up.

Furthermore, I have designed for use a combination string anchoring and bridge unit, this for employment in conjunction with the heavy internal reinforced embodiment of the invention.

Other features, advantages and objects will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying illustrative drawmgs.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are 2 employed to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a stringed musical instrument constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, this representing one of the two embodiments herein shown, described and claimed.

Figure 2 is a top plan view with the top piece or belly of the shell removed to disclose the internal construction of the arrangement depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-section on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure- 1.

Figure 4 is a view at right angles, this being a fragmentary, central, longitudinal section through the rear end portion, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section on the line 5-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a cross-section on the line l-? of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a detail elevational view of the combination tail piece and bridge.

Figure 9 is a section on the line $9 of Figure 8.

The body or shell of the form of the instrument depicted in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, is generally denoted by the numeral l 0. The frontal or outer end portion thereof, indicated at l I, is noticeably and appreciably smaller in overall proportion as compared to the inner or butt end portion [2. This body is externally equipped with an anchoring button 13 for the gut loop !4 of the tail piece 5. The bridge is denoted at l6 and the head at IT. This head is provided with a group of eight keys l8 of the conventional worm and gear type (not shown) used on mandolin and guitars. The neck is indicated at I9 and the fingerboard at 20. The strings are in groups of two, said strings being difierentiated by the numerals 2|. As before pointed out, I utilize conventional strings but employ them in parallel pairs; that is, I employ two E strings, two A strings, two D strings and two G strings. The underlying median portion 22 of the top 23 of the shell is longitudinally bulged, this area being somewhat ovate in top plan configuration.

The back 24 of the instrument corresponds in shape to the top 23, this having a similar pressed or bellied central area 22a opposed to the companion area 22. The marginal rim is denoted at 25 and on the interior I provide marginal beads 26 to facilitate screwing or other- 3 wise fastening the top and bottom to the edging or rim-forming wall 25. It will be noticed that supplemental reinforcing elements 21 are provided. These are transverse cross pieces and are arranged in longitudinally spaced order and parallel to each other. One set is secured to the bottom and the other set in opposed relation to the top. The ends of the cross pieces are beveled inwardly and downwardly, as indicated at 28. The inner end of the neck is headed and notched, as indicated at 29, to facilitate assembling of the adjacent ends of the rim. There is a reinforcing vertical block 38 at the butt end to accommodate the aforementioned button I3.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, all parts corresponding in construction are indicated by like numerals. This is in reference to the reinforcing internal cross pieces, and the body or shell, as well as the neck and fingerboard. The construction and arrangement of cross-pieces 2'! is not, as implied, the same in this form or modification of the invention. It will be noted in the drawings in Figure 3, that the internal reinforcing cross-pieces are shown carried by both bottom and top portions of the shell or body of the instrument, whereas, in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure '7, the cross-pieces 2'5 are shown carried by the bottom only. More specifically, the fingerboard is provided with a peg box 31 to accommodate somewhat conventional wooden pegs 32, as are presently used in violin constructions. The principal difference in this form of the invention is in reference to the internal, longitudinal bar 33 which is of a length commensurate with the length of the body, the same being substantially rectangular in crosssection, but conforming to the portions of the top of the shell coacting therewith. It wili be noticed that right angular extensions 34 and 35 are provided at opposite ends, these being in contact with the inner face of the back of the instrument and resting against the adjacent ends of the rim portion. Thus, in a sense, we have a longitudinal assembling and reinforcing bar 33 with feet 34 and 35 formed integral therewith and stabilizing the entire shell construction to accommodate the special combination tail piece and bridge unit 35. This comprises a substantially hollow mound 3'7 with marginal reinforcing flanges as forming the base portion and rigidly secured to the intermediate portion of the bar 33. The curvate riser or extension 39 is the bridge and the mandolin. However, the resultant structure is, in effect, a composite arrangement and, for the want of a better name, it is a vandolin. It is unnecessary, however, to repeat the distinguishable special adaptation covered in the introductory portion of the specification. These features of novelty are alluded to in the subjoined claims.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufii cient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

In a violin, a sound wave trapping and amplifying body of hollow, shell-like form and standard dimensions and shape comprising a marginal endless rim and top and bottom pieces connected thereto, said bottom piece being provided on its interior surface with a plurality of transversely disposed cross-pieces, said cross-pieces being longitudinally spaced from each other and of a vertical cross-sectional height terminating approximately on a horizontal plane even with the longitudinal median axis of the sound wave chamber of said body, and a complemental longitudinal bar and reinforcing member of a length commensurate with the length of the interior of the body, said bar being comparatively heavy in cross-section and secured from end to end to the under side of said top and having integral right angled extensions at opposite outer ends, said extensions resting on the underlying surfaces of said bottom piece and each corresponding in length to the width of said rim and being in firm abutting contact with the adjacent inner surfaces of said rim.

MYRON EARL OSBURN. 

